350 Gallon trailer build

[busman]

Starting on a 350 gallon reverse flow with. a an 8 burner gas grill and a 38" cowboy cooker mounted on a tandem axle trailer. I have a smaller standard offset I built years ago but am wanting something bigger. Scrounged up a 38" end cap and a 36x84 1/4" tank. Firebox 36"x36"x24" Time to get started.

[busman]

More done tonight. Got firebox welded to the tank. What is everyones opinon on a damper between firebox and tank?

[TuscaloosaQ]

looking very good that is gonna be a meat monster!!!!!!!

[Gizmo]

Smokertom really wants a cooker with a cut-off between the FB and CC... and I've been toying with building one too. Mainly just to stop the smoke while you're tending to the meat. I don't think an adjustment right there would do you much good because the relationship between the FB and CC will never change.
But I've been wrong before ... somebody smarter will surely be along here to help...

[busman]

Thanks for the reply neighbor, I think I am going to put one in.

[Smokeone]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[Rodcrafter]

This something I did on my latest rig. I put this damper between the FB and CC like this.
Here is the linkage to operate it.

This is what it looks like on the outside.

This shows the relationship between the damper and the tuning plates.

Damper open

Damper closed

When I first did this, I wanted it to give me the option to use my FB as a grill if I wanted it to. At the same time I could switch to gas for my CC. I have used the gas option alot since I changed the burner to a high pressure (160,000 btu) burner. I just place some wood in a box above the burner protector. It gives me a nice smoker for at least an hour. The new burner will heat the whole thing very nice giving me a grill at the same time. But if I'm cooking a few briskets and some PB I will use charcoal and sticks alone. Love it.

[busman]

Looks good rodcrafter I put mine in last night.I will post pics tonight.

[Tom_Heath]

Awesome looking damper design. I love it.

[The Czar]

that is a nice design on that damper.....Frank and me always try to put an adjustable one on trailer mounted units.......

[busman]

Todays progress, fb damper finished. Baffle plate done. Started fitting on trailer.

[busman]

Heres todays pictures.

[busman]

One more.i

[Tom_Heath]

I sure hope you got some weight going on up front.

I only speak of this from experience. Been there when the weight wasnt right.

Still there somewhat. But not for long.

I do like the looks of it, kinda stumpy looking.

[busman]

Yes were working on where to put everything. Trying to get a little more weight up front. Still have a wood box that will go in front of the toolbox, 2 propane tanks which will go right behind the toolbox, a eight burner grill, and the cowboy cooker on the very front ahead of the log box. I think that should get me enough weight up front. Any suggestions let me know. I can't get the smoker any further forward.

[Gizmo]

Do you think your seals are good enough on your firebox that it would hold helium?

... just trying to be a little helpful ...
... prolly VERY little...

[TuscaloosaQ]

I have been for some time now stepping my firebox into the trailer frame the advantage is you can absolutely control how much tongue weight you want. Personally I want no more than what is reasonable to me by feel alone.all of our trailers pull excellent and as straight as an arrow. For me I like a tight look not my firebox protruding out to far, I guess it is all about preference. In any event you are doing a jam up on your cooker. I have several 500 gallon tanks that are short and squatty I need to get off the 250 addiction and step it up to the next level any gonna do it!!!!!

[Frank_Cox]

Looks great! I have never done as TQ suggested on the trailer but I like it a lot! I will do that on a future build.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

[Rodcrafter]

I see you are doing alot of work and it looks like you will have a fine rig when your done. I have mine set up on the trailer, because like yours it is a bit different than some others. I find this works best for me, so I can reach everything and the tongue weight is where I want it not where I have to live with it. At this stage of the build, I might elect to put it up on the trailer and rearrange things to allow me to just turn around on the trailer being able to reach everything and placing them where I wanted not where I'm forced to. A good set of steps makes this approach not as bad as it sounds "getting up and down from a trailer". Either way when you are done you will be proud of the work you have done, because you are doing a great job.

That is my 2 cents.

[busman]

Well went back and found a way to modify the trailer and was able to move the smoker forward close to a foot. I now have tongue weight and still have more to put on the front half. Thanks for the comments. I think it looks better tucked in also.

[Smokeone]

That should balance much better.

[Rodcrafter]

You will be glad you did that! Nice work!

[Gizmo]

... running lights down the side of the firebox? hmmmmm ....

[SoloQue]

That looks compact and functional. Like a modern chuckwagon. I like the supply box. I use mine on every trip, all my gear is ready and waiting like therms, chimney, gloves, wheel chocks etc. You name it, it seems to fit and it all gets tucked quickly away after each cook. jmtcw

[Tom_Heath]

WOW, I love it.

You will love it where it is. Looks Fan Freakin Tastic. !!!!


I still kick myself for cutting it so close on my trailer. I still carry some scrap drill rod in the front storage box on mine. The way I was loaded for the trip to the good oll boy gathering was near perfect.
Now that I have added water I must regroup after the remodel/rebuild.


Once again, you have an awesome looking build going there.